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God keeps His word. Every time. No exceptions. Did you know that is one of the great themes of the Christmas story we are all familiar with?  It all begins during a crisis in Judah that took place over 700 years before Christ was born. King Ahaz is ruling in Judah and he receives word of a crisis.  Two kings have joined forces and they are preparing to drive south and invade Judah.  The situation is dire. King Ahaz is terrified. You can read all about this episode in the first few verses of Isaiah 7. Certainly, it’s dire for King Ahaz’s immediate future, but there are even larger issues at stake: the family line of David ruling God’s people. If Ahaz dies, the family line dies.  If the family line of David dies and there is no descendant of David on the throne, then God has not kept His word because He specifically promised that David’s rule would be forever through his descendants.  It was in this situation that God gave one of the most famous promises in the Bible…

“Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:13–14, NKJV)

God reassures King Ahaz that He will absolutely keep His word through the miraculous birth of a child who would be called Immanuel – which means “God with us.”  Over and over again in the Old Testament, the coming Messiah is described as a descendant of David who will continue the Davidic dynasty forever.  Now, fast forward over 700 years to the very first verse in the New Testament…

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:” (Matthew 1:1, NKJV)

The New Testament opens with the statement that Jesus Christ is a descendant of King David.  Then Matthew spends the first 17 verses of the Gospel tracing Jesus’ family lineage through Joseph.  Matthew does all of this to prove that Jesus had the lineage of the Messiah. Beginning with Matthew 1:18 the attention turns to the description of the events of Jesus’ birth. Guess which Old Testament verse is quoted right in the middle of that?

“So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”” (Matthew 1:22–23, NKJV)

That’s right. Matthew directly quotes Isaiah 7:14 to show that Jesus’ birth is the ultimate fulfillment of that promise God made over 700 years ago.  It’s like the Gospel narrative is screaming out in bold “God keeps His word!!”  While there are many great truths and applications we gain from the Christmas story in the Bible, this one is often overlooked.  Don’t overlook it any more.  If you are entering this Christmas season with doubt and uncertainty, the simple Christmas story is proof that God always keeps His word. If you are reading this and you are not a believer, then you can give your life to Christ, not matter your background or degree of guilt. This is true because God always keeps His word.  Merry Christmas!

Many Christian churches observe what is called Advent on the Sundays leading up to Christmas.  The term “advent” has Latin roots and simply means “coming.”  It refers to the coming of Christ.  As early as the fourth century, Christian churches were designating a period of time leading up to the celebration of Christ’s birth.  It began as a time of fasting, but by the Middle Ages, the Advent season had become largely standardized into four Sundays.  This is why we refer to “the second Sunday of Advent,” etc. In addition to the Advent emphasis in the Sunday worship services, many Christians prepare an Advent wreath at their home or follow some type of Advent devotional.

The churches I have served in have been Southern Baptist churches, and many Baptists traditionally haven’t emphasized the Advent season nearly as much as their Methodist or Presbyterian friends. However, I do believe it is healthy this time of year to look forward to celebrating Christ’s birth. Advent can be a great way to cut through the busyness and materialism of this time of year and focus on Christ.

Advent helps us look forward to our celebration of the birth of Christ.  That’s the first advent.  However, there will be a second advent on a day in the future when Christ returns.  Christ’s first advent came in a manger in Bethlehem, but His second advent will come in power and glory as He splits the eastern sky and stands on the Mount of Olives.  Christ’s first advent brought our salvation, and His second advent will bring it to its eternal conclusion.  Christ’s first advent broke the penalty of sin over all who will place their faith in Christ, but Christ’s second advent will break the power and presence of sin – ridding the world of all its effects.

We live our lives between two advents – two “comings” of Christ. On December 25, we celebrate the first advent, and we live faithfully and hopefully looking forward to the second advent. Glory to God in the highest!  Praise Him!  Maranatha!

Each year I read through the Bible, and my reading this morning was in the book of Acts.  Even though I have read it probably hundreds of times over the years, the power of this passage really spoke to me today…

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because all of us are here!” Then the jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had believed God with his entire household.” (Acts 16:25–34, HCSB)

There are some scholars who argue that the Philippian jailor was not asking a spiritual question here, but rather he was seeking to learn how he could avoid the consequences (likely execution) of allowing prisoners to escape.  If that is the case, then Paul and Silas used the occasion to build a great gospel bridge into his life and connect him to his need for a different type of salvation.  Personally, I believe the man was so shaken by seeing the power of God that he was asking a spiritual question.  However, either way the end result is the same: salvation came to this man and eventually his household through simple faith.

Think about all of the theology books that have been written. They are needful, and I am very much in favor of making sure we have our theology correct and struggling with the things of God taught in the scriptures. There are some real, profound disagreements in theology – even among evangelical Christians. It’s o.k. to wrestle with those issues, and even debate them in the proper forums.  However, I feel like sometimes we forget that the gospel message is so very simple.  To say the gospel message is simple is not to say it is shallow.  In fact, the gospel is so deep that the greatest theologians cannot exhaust it’s treasure, but yet it is simple enough so that a child can understand and be saved.

The answer to the Philippian jailor’s question was not a systematic theology textbook – it was one verse, Acts 16:31.  We would do well not to forget that. Saving faith is simple faith, and simple faith is saving faith.  How did I become a Christian as an eight year old boy in Henagar, Alabama?  I heard the simple gospel and responded with a simple faith.  Saving faith is simple faith, and simple faith is saving faith.

Today is election day across America.  In addition to thousands of local and statewide raises, one-third of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives will be elected today.  It is certainly an extremely significant day in the life of our nation.

In my opinion, there are Christians who take equally unhealthy positions when it comes to Christians and our involvement in politics.  On one hand, there are those who say that the key to turning America around is to organize Christians to vote for a certain party, making Bible believing Christians just another “voting bloc” of people who help to win elections.  The danger here is tying Christianity to a political party.  The polar opposite of this view comes from those who say that Christians should not be involved at all in politics and totally focus on proclaiming Christ and doing His work. The danger here is keeping our faith within the walls of our churches with no prophetic voice.  In my personal opinion, both of these extremes are equally bad.  Please allow me to share my thoughts on how Christians should approach election day.

(1)  Go vote and vote according to your Biblical, Christian values.  The argument that Christians should leave our faith behind us at the ballot box is absurd.  A Christian worldview informs every choice that we make in life – including our vote. Rest assured, everyone who votes today will do so from their personal beliefs, perspective, and worldview.  As a Bible believing Christian, you have every right to vote in accordance with your beliefs, perspective, and worldview.

(2)  Be reminded to pray for America. Election day is a great reminder to give thanks for our country and pray for its future. America needs a great revival.  Christ is the hope for our country – not a political party. The fact we have the privilege of voting is a testament to the fact that we are privileged to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. I do not worship America, but I do unapologetically love America. I am greatly concerned about where we are heading as a nation. The power of God in a mighty revival can heal our land.

(3)  Be kind and show love to those who disagree with you.   Having strong convictions doesn’t have to mean we are obnoxious.  People are watching how we treat others, and if we show nothing but disdain for those who disagree with us it is an extremely poor witness. Everything we post on social media is “out there” for others to see and sometimes it isn’t pretty.  Remember that. For many who are unbelievers, this is a huge barrier to them coming to Christ.  In order to gain a hearing for the gospel, we must be willing to love and engage in conversation with those who disagree with us.  Even though a person may be voting for everything you are against, Christ loves them and died on the cross for them.

(4)  The results of an election do not alter the sovereign plan of God.  He is Lord regardless of how anyone votes. Nothing changes His plan or His power. This world is not in utter chaos; it is headed to an inevitable conclusion.  Do not get too worked up if the election goes your way, and do not despair if it does not.  Jesus is Lord.  Like many of you, I will sit down after my son’s ball game tonight to watch the election returns.  As of this writing, I do not know if I will be pleased with the returns.  However, I will absolutely know that the most important return has happened yet!

““Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1–3, NKJV)

This Sunday we will have the annual Fall Festival at the church I serve.  This is probably the 20th consecutive year or so that I have participated in one of these as a pastor.  They have taken many forms, depending on the church and community context.  If you don’t attend Lakeside where I serve, your church is very likely having some type of similar event. While I have not yet heard this at Lakeside, over the years I have had numerous members at the churches I have served talk with me about how such events are “a waste of money” and “all they are is a bunch of people who will never come back to the church.”  Most of the time, they prefaced their argument with something like, “I don’t think our church should spend money like this during such uncertain times.”   While I am certainly in total agreement with scrutinizing how we use the Lord’s money given through our churches, please allow me to share why I believe a Fall Festival is a good investment for your church (and mine).

It is a good investment because you will get lost people to come.  I have personally met people who do not know Christ at every single Fall Festival I have ever attended.  A Fall Festival type event is something that everyone can feel comfortable bringing their family to.  There is great value in that.  While most churches do not have a “sermon” during the Fall Festival, many churches give out gospel tracts in with all of the “goodies” and attempt to register people so that they can follow up.  Personally, I am praying to have the opportunity to share the gospel with someone this Sunday at our Fall Festival.  It’s much more relaxed to strike up a conversation at the Fall Festival while the kids are in the inflatables or they are munching on popcorn!

It is a good investment because you will minister to people while they are there.  At an event like the Fall Festival, you just have conversations with people that do not happen in the mad dash through the atrium after the morning services.  It can be a family that have you haven’t seen at church in a while. It can be someone you haven’t had a chance to talk with in a few months. The opportunities are endless when so many people gather. Take advantage of them.  This is why I just walk around and talk to people all during the Fall Festival.  The chance to minister grace comes regularly.

It is a good investment because the whole church is working together. At the Fall Festival, you will see your entire church family all together doing the same thing.  There is great value in that. It builds unity and reinforces the church as the body of Christ.

So, go support your church’s Fall Festival.  Sign up to help, and, when your shift is done, go find someone you don’t know and strike up a conversation with them.  You will be glad you did and you will honor Christ.

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14–15, NKJV)

Today, God answered a prayer for me.  How grateful and thrilled I am to see His hand at work!   Truthfully, the Lord has answered thousands of prayers for me over the years, but it thrills my soul in a fresh way every time it happens.  Among those thousands of answered prayers are those that He answered immediately and some that he required me to wait for years before seeing it happen.  In some cases, the Lord answered my prayer, but He did it in a way that I never dreamed or imagined.   There have been a few prayers that God answered in such a quiet way that it took me a while to realize what was happening.  In a handful of instances, God has answered prayers for me even after I had grown discouraged and stopped asking. There have even been answered prayers that came out of the blue while I was dealing with difficult, unrelated circumstances.  Answered prayers take many forms – all of them great!

Answered prayers are a glorious thing. They work together for our good and God’s glory.  They build our faith.  They stretch our faith.  They convict us and shape us into more of what we need to be.  In God’s time and in God’s way, they come.  They remind us all over again that we are not the masters of our lives, but we are in the hand of the Sovereign One.

Perhaps God answered a prayer for you today. Why don’t you join me in giving Him praise and rejoicing in His goodness & faithfulness?  If no answer to your prayer came today, don’t give up.  Keep praying.  God can do more in a moment than you can do in a lifetime.  You just never know when that moment will come and it will be glorious.